First Lady of Brazil to Sue Elon Musk's Social Media Platform over Account Hack and Offensive Posts

Brazilian first lady Rosangela 'Janja' Lula da Silva announced on Tuesday that she plans to take legal action against Elon Musk-owned social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after her account was hacked last week. The hacker posted offensive messages and insults targeting both Janja and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In a live broadcast alongside the President, Janja expressed her determination to sue the platform, stating, "I still don't know if I have to sue them in the US or in Brazil, but I will sue them."

#Brazil 's first lady to sue Musk's X over hacked account. The alleged hacker entered Janja's account on Dec. 11 and posted several messages, including insults against the first lady and #InacioLula da Silva, as well as misogynistic slurs https://t.co/ItYYZiagng #ElonMusk #X

— Alexander von Witzleben (@AlexWitzleben) December 19, 2023

She stressed the need for social media platforms to be held accountable for their users' actions and called for regulations in Brazil. President Lula echoed her sentiments, acknowledging the global need for social media regulation while expressing concerns about the complexities of the issue. He noted, "It's a challenge to know how we could deal with it without imposing censorship," and highlighted the importance of observing the regulatory approaches taken by other countries, including the European Union, the United States, and China.

The legal action and call for regulation come after the unauthorized access to Janja's account on December 11 and the ensuing derogatory posts. The couple's public stance has sparked a debate on the responsibility of social media platforms and the necessity of regulatory measures to address online abuses.